Patents Examined by Suzanne Barrett
  • System, method and apparatus for securing valuables
    Patent number: 9459074
    Abstract: A safe includes a safe body that has an opening. A door is movably interfaced to the safe body such that the door selectively occludes the opening, thereby, selectively permitting access to the opening in one position and precluding access to the opening in a second position. A locking mechanism engages between the door and the safe body when the door occludes the opening. When provided with a key, the locking mechanism disengages between the door and the safe body, permitting access to the opening. An insert is positioned within the safe body. The insert has an opening formation configured to support at least one specific weapon, which is arranged to be accessed from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Heim, Richard Allen Angwin
  • Multiple lock system for a luggage case
    Patent number: 9453358
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively securing at least a first zipper closure mechanism (25) and a second zipper closure mechanism (135) of a luggage case (100), may include a lock device (145) coupled to the luggage case (100). The lock device (14) includes a lock mechanism (158) operable between a locked and unlocked configuration, at least two securing recesses (151, 152, 153, 154) for releasable receipt of at least a portion of each of the respective first and second zipper closure mechanisms (125, 135), and at least one release member (160) for actuating the lock mechanism (158).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Diego Recchia
  • Key and lock cylinder
    Patent number: 9447605
    Abstract: A plug assembly for a lock includes a generally cylindrical plug body that defines a keyway and a generally cylindrical plug housing that rotatably receives the plug body. A plurality of blocking members are housed in the plug body and are movable into the keyway upon rotation of the plug body relative to the plug housing to obstruct the keyway. A key can be provided that is positionable into the keyway, and the blade of the key defines receptacles for receiving the blocking members when the plug body is rotated so that the lock can be unlocked. However, the blocking members prevent rotation of the plug body when a picking tool or unauthorized key is inserted in the keyway since either the blocking members cannot move into the keyway and remain engaged to the plug housing due to the object in the keyway, or obstruct the keyway and prevent insertion of the picking tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason Curtis Clifford, Brian Edward Walls, Evan Earl Evans
  • Disc tumbler cylinder lock and key combination
    Patent number: 9447607
    Abstract: The rotation limiter disc elements of a disc tumbler cylinder lock-key-combination are arranged to be rotated by a key. The rotation limiting elements have no pieces non-rotatably attached to the inner cylinder. The rotation limiter disc elements are composed of a frame piece and a limiter piece. The frame piece is a circular disc having an opening in the middle of the disc. The opening extends up to the border of the disc widening towards the border, and to the section on the wider side of the opening is disposed a limiter piece. On the inner surface of the inner cylinder is a recess at the site of the limiter disc elements. The key has at least one bevel-edged cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ABLOY OY
    Inventor: Perttu Malinen
  • End caps for lock cylinders
    Patent number: 9441397
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices relating to lock assemblies for doors are disclosed. The lock assemblies include an end cap that couples a tail piece, cam or other latch operating mechanism to the plug of the lock assembly so that the latch operating mechanism rotates with rotation of the plug to operate a latch. The end cap includes a plug engaging portion that is configured to interfit with an end cap receiving portion of the plug to axially and rotatably fix the end cap to the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Clifford, Skyler K. Biek, Kenneth M. Curtis, Dale B. Shillington, II, David K. Matteucci
  • Power locking door handles with integrated keypad
    Patent number: 9441403
    Abstract: A power locking pull or push button handle assembly is provided for a vehicle door having a lock and a latch. The handle assembly includes a base with a housing. A handle is pivotally mounted on the base, a power lock assembly is mounted within the housing on the base, and a keypad on the handle is operatively connected to the power lock assembly for keyless unlocking of the door. The handle includes a cover and backbone secured together, with the keypad sandwiched between the cover and backbone. The keypad is reinforced with a steel plate. Loads on the handle are shared by the backbone, cover, and keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TRIMARK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Kraus, Anita L. Reichling, Eric Wickstrom, David S. Magner
  • Panic exit door lock with an indication of a locking state
    Patent number: 9435141
    Abstract: A panic exit door lock includes an inner cylinder seat. A shield is formed on the inner cylinder seat and includes a window. A driving block is pivotably connected to an actuating block operably connected to an outer lock core. The driving block includes a sleeve portion mounted around the actuating block. A flange is formed on the sleeve portion and is operably connected to a limiting member. An indicator member is pivotably connected to the inner cylinder seat and includes an indicator having a first portion indicating the limiting member is in a release position in which rotation of a handle retracts a latch and a second portion indicating the limiting member is in a blocking position in which the handle can not be rotated to retract the latch. One of the first and second portions is aligned with the window to indicate the position of the limiting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Jen Tien
  • Locking device
    Patent number: 9435140
    Abstract: A locking device includes a lock and a key. The lock includes a housing, a cylindrical core inserted into and rotatable relative to the housing, and a tumbler unit that is mounted between the housing and the cylindrical core to permit or prevent the relative rotation between the housing and the cylindrical core and that has a first pin extending into a helical keyway formed in the cylindrical core. The key has a helical blade capable of being inserted into the helical keyway to access the first pin, so as to switch the tumbler unit to permit the relative rotation between the cylindrical core and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Yen-Po Chen
  • Device for securing an essential component of a motor vehicle handle
    Patent number: 9435137
    Abstract: Provided is a device for securing an essential component, in particular a lock cylinder, a lock cylinder catch or the like, of a handle of a motor vehicle, the device having a carrier, which can be secured on the inside to a movable part, in particular to a lid, tailgate or door. A blocking unit is arranged on the carrier and comprises movable gear elements, by means of which the blocking unit can be moved between a blocking position and a release position, the component being located in a detached manner in the carrier in the release position and the component being held securely on the carrier in the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marion Kilian, Sebastian Gebel, Anuj Kaushal
  • Centralized unlocking operation apparatus for vehicle locking mechanism
    Patent number: 9434434
    Abstract: In a centralized unlocking apparatus for a vehicle locking mechanism in which the operation of an operator in an operating portion capable of placing a locking mechanism in unlocked state is regulated when a main switch is in a predetermined rotary operation position, a pair of operating portions each provided with an operator is disposed on both sides of a main switch. Thus, the number of locking mechanisms that can be operated into unlocked state can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Kengo Ura, Takenobu Kuroiwa
  • Padlock with a removable shackle
    Patent number: 9428941
    Abstract: A padlock comprises a housing, a shackle, a locking member, and a limiting set. The housing has a front cover and a rear cover which is pivoted at the front cover. The rear cover has a sliding groove. The rear cover which corresponds to the sliding groove has a through hole and a locking hole. A penetrating groove is formed at the sliding groove. The shackle has a pivoting portion which passes through the through hole and moved toward the cavity. The locking member is slidably arranged in the sliding groove and limited by or separated from the locking portion of the shackle. The limiting set has a limiting member and a releasing member. The limiting member includes an entry slot, an embedded end, and an inclined surface. The limiting member is slidably arranged in the sliding groove. The releasing member is slidably arranged in the penetrating groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Yao-Kun Yang
  • Lock for a motor vehicle lock system
    Patent number: 9428936
    Abstract: A lock that is inserted and fixed in a receiving body of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The lock includes a stator inside which a rotor rotatably moves. The stator is fixed to the receiving body and includes a cover plate of the rotor fixed to the front face of the stator, where the cover plate has an opening for a key. There is also an anti-pull-out mechanism borne by said cover plate and the stator to fix the cover plate to the stator and to retain the rotor axially in the stator. The anti-pull-out mechanism blocks the cover plate axially on the stator by the positioning of the cover plate and its subsequent pivoting on the stator into an assembled position. The anti-pull-out mechanism includes an element for blocking in rotation the cover plate on the stator interposed between the cover plate and the front face of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventor: Ludovic Fenayon
  • Safe with nitinol wire locking mechanism
    Patent number: 9422745
    Abstract: A safe. A safe lid is connected to a safe box via a hinge attachment. The safe is locked shut by utilization of a latch assembly. A Nitinol wire is connected to a latch assembly opening device. The latch assembly opening device is connected to the latch assembly. A user can open the safe by inputting the correct pass code into a keypad. An electrical signal is then transferred to the Nitinol wire causing the Nitinol wire to shorten. The shortening of the Nitinol wire causes the latch assembly opening device to open the latch assembly. In a preferred embodiment a key lock is also configured to control the latch assembly opening device and the key lock may be used as another method to open the safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Leslie Ho Leung Chow
  • Locking container for firearms
    Patent number: 9423211
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a body portion and a door removably connected to the body portion, revealing the interior of the body portion, the door having at least one latching element. An access assembly is attached to the body portion, the access assembly including a latch bar having an opening to receive the latching element. A plurality of actuating buttons are provided for the user. A mechanism responsive to operation of preselected buttons in a preselected sequence releases an actuation mechanism. An operating member accessible to the user and operatively connected to the actuation mechanism moves the released actuation mechanism to move the latching bar so that the latching element is released from the latching bar, allowing the door to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TRUCKVAULT, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Ho
  • Combination lock with rotary latch
    Patent number: 9416563
    Abstract: A combination lock is provided, the combination lock having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane; and a bolt configured for movement between a first position and a second position along a second plane the second plane being oriented at a different location than the first plane, the bolt engaging the rotary latch in the first position such that rotation of the rotary latch from the locked position to the unlocked position is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ZEPHYR LOCK LLC
    Inventors: Patrick E. Wind, Kevin Houlihan, Douglas Greene
  • Safes and related locking enclosures
    Patent number: 9410355
    Abstract: Safes and related locking enclosures. In some embodiments, the locking enclosures may comprise a crank shaft that may be coupled with a handle. A crank plate may also be coupled with the crank shaft. A clutch mechanism may be coupled with the crank plate and configured to have an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the engaged configuration, the clutch mechanism may be configured to transfer torque from the crank shaft to the crank plate. In the disengaged configuration, the clutch mechanism may be configured to allow the crank shaft to rotate with respect to the crank plate such that no (or at least reduced) torque from the crank shaft is not transferred to the crank plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: RHINO METALS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Suggs, Scott Moore, Jayson Nelson
  • Cylinder guard for deadbolt lock
    Patent number: 9404285
    Abstract: A cylinder guard for a deadbolt lock having a face portion and an inner portion. The inner portion includes a radial flange and an axial flange created by forming the wall of the guard into a doubled portion. Indentations are formed in the axial flange which enhances the resistance of the guard to an attack upon the deadbolt. The guard also includes a tapered blow-deflecting portion between the inner portion and face portion. A crush zone may be formed between the inner and face portions to attenuate the energy from an attack that is transferred to the axial and radial flanges. A method for making the guard includes stamping a body from steel strip using a multi-station press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Behrang F. Lahiji, Jeffrey Dean Pearson
  • Device and method for an alarming strap tag
    Patent number: 9404291
    Abstract: A security device may include a rotatable cap and an engagement member. The cap may be graspable by an operator during attachment of the security device to at least a first strap extending substantially around a portion of an object. The engagement member may be configured to engage the first strap. The engagement member may also be substantially fixed in relation to the cap during the attachment of the security device to the first strap and the engagement member may be rotatable with the cap. The security device may be transitioned to a locked state responsive to rotational engagement of the engagement member with the first strap. The rotational engagement of the engagement member with the first strap may also increase tension on the first strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn G. White, Scott A. Sattizahn
  • Lock that mechanically detects tampering
    Patent number: 9394723
    Abstract: Pin tumbler locks are provided that include features for detecting tampering. Tampering may be detected in a number of different ways. As an example, abnormal movement of one or more of the driver pins in a pin tumbler lock can be an indication of tampering. In addition, one or more sensors can be included at the end of a keyway that detect picking or bumping beyond the length of normal key insertion. A mechanical actuator can be used for detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Branchek Roth, Alexander Zissis Ginos
  • Cable locking system
    Patent number: 9388606
    Abstract: A cable locking system comprises a housing, a cable whose one end is fastened or fastenable to the housing and whose other end can be introduced into a cable passage formed in the housing, a clamping device for clamping the cable in the cable passage and an actuation element which is adjustable between a closed position, in which the actuation element is fastenable to the housing by means of locking elements, in particular padlocks, and an open position in order selectively to adjust at least one clamp jaw of the clamping device between a holding position clamping the cable in the cable passage and a release position releasing the cable. The adjustment of the clamp jaw between the holding position and the release position comprises a pivot movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ABUS AUGUST BREMICKER SOHNE KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Garthe, Manuel Thomas